Stella Maris Program  

   

I've heard from Fr. Bill Meyer who, along with Fr. Oscar Vasquez, is accompanying the temporary professed members of the Province on the Stella Maris program in Quer�taro, Mexico, this week. Read Bill's commentary below. Thanks for your prayers for these brothers and their growth in Marianist life.

 

Marianist Mission Move

 

The renovation of the Marianist Center on the campus of Mount Saint John is nearly complete. The Mission will move to its new location in mid-July. Many thanks to Allison Hewitt, Linda Hayes and Bro. Jack Somerville who spearheaded this project. Read more.

 

University of Dayton  

 

On June 23, University of Dayton President Daniel Curran announced the decision of the UD board of trustees to begin a divestment of the university's endowment portfolio in companies with the largest holdings in coal and fossil fuels. To our knowledge, UD is the first major Catholic university to make this decision. With this decision comes the subsequent challenge to the university community to make environmental concerns a major focus of attention and commitment, grounded in Catholic social thought, our Marianist commitment to the integrity of creation, and the emphasis on this issue by Pope Francis. Read the UD news article.

 

Travels

 

Bro. Joe Kamis, Fr. Paul Marshall and I will visit the District of India from July 7-20, interviewing members about the needs of the District and future leadership. At the same time, Bros. Ed Brink, Tom Wendorf, Charles Johnson and Frs. Bill Meyer, Chris Wittmann and Oscar Vasquez will be in Rome for a special formators/education office meeting, organized by Fr. Andr� F�tis of the General Administration. Please keep these travels in your prayers.   

 

Novitiate Open House 

 

 

More than 70 Marianists and friends attended an open house hosted by the Marianist Novitiate Community on June 21 at its temporary location. The group enjoyed tours and dinner provided by the novitiate community. The four townhouse units include a chapel, library and classroom. 

 

Transition  

 

At the end of last year, I met with Sylvester Burkemper, a former member of the Society of Mary and a longtime worker at the Boysville center in San Antonio. Syl, who left the SM in 1979 after 22 years of profession, asked to return as a professed member. He has been living in the Marianist Residence Community in San Antonio since January as a testing period. After consultation with the community and support from Fr. Cort�s, the Provincial Council approved his request.  

 

On Aug. 15, Syl will begin a nine-month period of reintegration into the Province with a possible profession of temporary vows next Pentecost. Fr. Bill Behringer will accompany him during this formation period. Please pray for Syl's successful completion of this period of discernment and reintegration.

 

General Administration Visit 

 

If communities and ministry leaders have not responded to the invitation to send event requests for the upcoming visit of the General Administration, please do so soon. These can be sent to Pat Stephens, coordinator of the itinerary for the visitation.

 

Please remember in your prayers our brothers who are ill and our donors who are so generous to us.

 

 

Fraternally,